Actress Kwon Mina EXPOSES Dark Side Of Korean Beauty Standards, Shows Burn Marks From Cosmetic Surgery

Former

AOA member and actress Kwon Mina is the latest victim of South Korea’s rigid beauty standards after revealing the severe physical and emotional toll of a cosmetic skin procedure gone wrong. Sharing graphic images of burn marks on her face and neck, Kwon disclosed that she suffered second-degree burns following a routine lifting treatment, an experience that led to panic attacks, emotional distress, and the cancellation of important career opportunities. Her candid account shows just how difficult it is for female idols to exist in a world that only judges them on the basis of beauty.

Kwon Mina suffers second degree burn from cosmetic surgery

On January 8, Kwon Mina took to Instagram to share a detailed and deeply personal account of her ordeal. In a lengthy post, the actress explained that she had undergone a cosmetic skin treatment ahead of a busy professional period. According to Kwon, she had several promising opportunities lined up from late January through February 2026 and wanted to 'look better' for upcoming schedules.She revealed that on January 24, 2026, she received 600 shots of a Shrink lifting procedure while under sedation. However, what was meant to be a routine aesthetic enhancement turned into a traumatic medical experience. Alongside her post, Kwon shared photos showing severe burns on both cheeks and her neck.

Describing the aftermath of the procedure, Kwon wrote that she woke up in excruciating pain. “When I opened my eyes, I felt a tearing pain in my skin,” she recalled. She said she began crying immediately and asked to see a mirror. What she saw left her devastated. According to her account, her skin had peeled layer by layer due to the burns, curling upward, with visible discharge and blisters. “It was truly devastating,” she said.

Is this a case of medical negligence?

Beyond the physical injury, Kwon raised serious concerns about the lack of proper consent and medical explanation before the procedure. She alleged that she was not asked to sign sedation or procedure consent forms, nor was she informed about photo documentation. More concerningly, she claimed that she did not receive any skin consultation or diagnosis prior to undergoing the treatment.The actress said the clinic justified this by stating that she had already signed consent forms during a previous visit in October 2025. However, Kwon argued that this was unacceptable, as each procedure carries different effects and risks. “Since the procedures were different each time, I never received guidance or consent forms specifically about Shrink, its effects, or side effects,” she explained.

Kwon admitted she was unsure whether medical laws had been violated, noting that the clinic maintained they had done nothing wrong. Regardless, the emotional impact on her has been severe. She revealed that she began experiencing panic attacks following the incident. Her mother, upon seeing her injuries, broke down in tears. “I’ve been apologising every day while postponing or cancelling schedules, and I ended up in tears,” Kwon shared.Expressing deep frustration and despair, Kwon said she does not know when her burn and scar treatments will end. She lamented the timing of the incident, questioning why long-awaited opportunities arrived only to be overshadowed by pain and recovery. “I now know how painful deep second-degree burns really are,” she wrote, adding that she feels lost and emotionally exhausted.Kwon Mina debuted as a member of AOA in 2012 and left the group in 2019 to focus on acting. Over the years, she has been open about her struggles, and her latest revelation has shown the often-hidden costs of Korea’s unforgiving beauty culture. Zoom wishes her a speedy recovery.